DAYTON — Juwan Staten led the Atlantic 10 in assists, made the league’s all-rookie team and played an important role in helping the University of Dayton basketball team reach its fourth straight postseason tournament.

But the freshman point guard from Dayton confirmed late Monday night that he plans to transfer, saying the program isn’t the right fit for his all-around skills.

“I like coach (Brian) Gregory as a person. I respect him. But I just don’t feel like I got any better this year,” Staten said. “I don’t feel like I could reach my full potential if I stayed at Dayton.

“When coach Gregory recruited me, as heavily as he recruited me — it started when I was a freshman in high school till I stepped on campus — I felt there were certain things that defined me as a player, and I don’t feel like he let me do those things. I don’t feel my talent was used as good as it could have been.

“This year, I was more of a distributor, and I tried to be the best passing point guard I could be. I tried to help the team win. I’m a competitor, I’m going to help the team and take a back seat if I have to. But in the bigger plan for me and my future and my goals, I wasn’t able to do everything I can do.”

Gregory didn’t immediately return a cell-phone message seeking comment.

One of the most celebrated recruits in UD history, Staten averaged 5.4 assists, was third on the Flyers in scoring (8.5) and second in minutes played (29.1).

He struggled on the perimeter, though. He was just 4-for-26 on 3-pointers, shot 38.8 percent from the field and 60.4 on free throws.

Although Staten never openly showed up his coaches, the Flyers played like a team with chemistry issues, which may explain their underachieving season. They went 7-9 in the A-10 after being picked to finish fourth.

Asked if it was a mutual decision between him and Gregory to transfer, Staten said: “I don’t really know. I mean, we talked throughout the year — I guess it became mutual. There were things about myself I didn’t feel he liked. There were things I could do that he didn’t like. So I guess it was mutual.”

Staten said he has a couple of schools in mind but doesn’t know yet where he’ll land.

“It was a long, hard decision. I hate that it’s come to this conclusion,” he said. “The last thing I wanted was to leave — especially growing up here. I wanted to be looked at as the hometown hero. I wish things would have worked out.”